Loose-leaf type storage apparatus

ABSTRACT

A loose-leaf type storage apparatus formed of two hinged shells each having a flat receiving space for receiving a disk-like storage item and a retainer for securing the loaded disk-like storage to the flat receiving space, one shell having a mounting strip with mounting through holes extended from the periphery for fastening to a ring binder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storage apparatus for storing compact disks or the like and more particularly, to a loose-leaf type storage apparatus, which keeps the storage items in place and against outside dust, and is connectable to a ring binder.

2. Description of the Related Art

Following fast development of lasers and infrared technology, a variety of compact data storage media such as CDs (compact disks), VCDs (video compact disks), CD-R, CD-RW, and etc. have been developed and intensively used for storing digital data. In order to keep digital data storage disks in place, data storage cases or racks may be used. Further, there is known a loose-leaf type storage apparatus for storing data storage media. According to this design, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the loose-leaf type storage apparatus A comprises a sheet of non-woven fabric A1 and two plastic cover flaps A2 respectively peripherally sealed to the two opposite sides of the sheet of non-woven fabric A1. The plastic cover flaps A2 form with the non-woven fabric A1 a respective pocket for keeping a CD or the like. Further, the loose-leaf type storage apparatus A has a plurality of mounting through holes A3 arranged in a line along one lateral side for fastening to a ring binder. This design of loose-leaf type storage apparatus has numerous drawbacks as follows:

1. Each pocket of the loose-leaf type storage apparatus A has no means to lock the storage CD or the like in place, and the storage CD or the like may fall out of the pocket or rub against the sheet of non-woven fabric A1 and plastic cover flaps A2.

2. Because each pocket of the loose-leaf type storage apparatus A is not sealable, the storage item tends to be covered with dust.

3. When used with a ring binder, the periphery of each mounting through hole A3 may easily be torn, thereby causing the loose-leaf type storage apparatus A to fall from the ring binder.

4. The fabrication of the sheet of non-woven fabric A1 and the bonding of the plastic cover flaps A2 to the non-woven fabric A1 are complicated, resulting in high manufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide a loose-leaf type storage apparatus, which holds the storage items firmly in place, protecting the storage items against scratching. It is another object of the present invention to provide a loose-leaf type storage apparatus, which keeps the storage items in an enclosed space against dust. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a loose-leaf type storage apparatus, which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a loose-leaf type storage apparatus, which is durable in use and connectable to a ring binder.

To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the loose-leaf type storage apparatus comprises a first shell and a second shell, the first shell and the second shell each comprising a flat receiving space adapted to accommodate a disk-like storage item, a retainer disposed in the flat receiving space and adapted to secure a disk-like storage item to the flat receiving space; hinge means connected between the first shell and the second shells for enabling the first shell and the second shell to be turnable relative to each other between an open position and a close position; and at least one mounting strip extended from the periphery of one of the first shell and the second shell, the at least one mounting strip each having at least one mounting through hole for fastening to a ring binder. The shells, the hinge means and the at least one mounting strip are integrally molded from plastics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an opened view of a loose-leaf type storage apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a respective compact disk respectively secured to the retainer in the receiving space of each shell.

FIG. 3 illustrates the closed status of the loose-leaf type storage apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an applied view of the present invention, showing the loose-leaf type storage apparatus fastened to a ring binder.

FIG. 5 illustrates the closed status of an alternate form of the loose-leaf storage apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the opened status of another alternate form of the loose-leaf storage apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a loose-leaf type storage apparatus constructed according to the prior art.

FIG. 8 is an assembly view of the loose-leaf type storage apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1, a loose-leaf type storage apparatus 1 is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. The loose-leaf type storage apparatus 1 comprises two symmetrical shells 12, and a hinge 11 connected between the shells 12 for enabling the shells 12 to be turned relative to each other between a close position and an open position. The shells 12 each define a flat receiving space 121 adapted to accommodate a CD (compact disk) 2 or the like, and a retainer 122 disposed at the center of the receiving space 121 and adapted to hold a CD 2 or the like in the receiving space 121. One of the shells 12 has a narrow elongated mounting strip 13 extended along one peripheral side opposite to the hinge 11, and a plurality of mounting through holes 131 formed in the narrow elongated mounting strip 13 and arranged in a line. The loose-leaf type storage apparatus 1 further comprises a locking device formed of a male locking element, for example, a retaining flange 123, and a female locking element, for example, a retaining groove 124. The retaining flange 123 and the retaining groove 124 are respectively provided at the shells 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIG. 1 again, after loading of a CD 2 in the receiving space 121 of each of the shells 12 and secured thereto by the respective retainer 122, the two shells 12 are closed to force the retaining flange 123 into engagement with the retaining groove 124, and therefore the loose-leaf type storage apparatus 1 is closed in the closed position.

Referring to FIG. 4, by means of the mounting through holes 131, the loose-leaf type storage apparatus 1 is fastened to a ring binder 3.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate form of the loose-leaf type storage apparatus. According to this embodiment, the loose-leaf type storage apparatus 1 comprises two mounting strips 13 spaced at one side, each mounting strip 13 having a plurality of mounting through holes 131.

FIG. 6 shows another alternate form of the loose-leaf type storage apparatus. According to this embodiment, the shells 12 of the loose-leaf type storage apparatus 1 have a circular shape, and one of the shells 12 has two mounting strips 13 extended from the periphery and linked to the hinge 11 at two sides. The mounting strips 13 each have one mounting through hole 131.

The loose-leaf type storage apparatus 1 can be made from plastics in integrity. Preferably, the shells 12 can be made transparent or semi-transparent so that the user to see the storage item(s) in the loose-leaf type storage apparatus 1 without opening the shells 12.

As indicated above, the loose-leaf type storage apparatus of the present invention has the following features:

1. By means of the retainer 122 in the receiving space 121 of each of the shells 12, the storage item (CD) is held firmly in the receiving space 121 and well protected by the respective shell 12.

2. The hinge 11 enables the shells 12 to be turned relative to each other between the open position and the close position. When closed, the storage item is well protected against dust.

3. The loose-leaf type storage apparatus 1 can be integrally molded from plastics to reduce the cost. In this case, fastening the mounting through holes 131 to a ring binder 3 does not cause the mounting strip(s) 13 to break easily.

A prototype of loose-leaf type storage apparatus has been constructed with the features of FIGS. 1˜6. The loose-leaf type storage apparatus functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A loose-leaf type storage apparatus comprising: a first shell and a second shell, said first shell and said second shell each comprising a flat receiving space adapted to accommodate a disk-like storage item, a retainer disposed in said flat receiving space and adapted to secure a disk-like storage item to said flat receiving space; hinge means connected between said first shell and said second shells for enabling said first shell and said second shell to be turnable relative to each other between an open position and a close position; and at least one mounting strip extended from the periphery of one of said first shell and said second shell, said at least one mounting strip each having at least one mounting through hole for fastening to a ring binder.
 2. The loose-leaf type storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising lock means adapted to lock said shells in said close position.
 3. The loose-leaf type storage apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lock means comprises at least one retaining flange provided at one of said shells, and at least one retaining groove provided at the other of said shells and adapted to receive said at least one retaining flange respectively.
 4. The loose-leaf type storage apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lock means comprises a plurality of retaining flanges provided at one of said shells, and a plurality of retaining grooves provided at the other of said shells and adapted to receive said retaining flanges respectively.
 5. The loose-leaf type storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shells and said hinge means are molded from plastics in integrity.
 6. The loose-leaf type storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shells are transparent.
 7. The loose-leaf type storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shells are semi-transparent. 